Aromatized tobaccos



United States-Patent O 3,342,186 AROMATIZED TOBACCOS Marvin K. Cook, Brooklyn, N.Y., assignor to Allied Chemical Corporation, New York, N. a corporation of New York No Drawing. Filed Aug. 7, 1964, Ser. No. 388,273 3 Claims. (Cl. ISL-17) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Novel aromatized tobacco compositions containing cyclohexylcyclohexanone which is employed, preferably after the casing step, to augment the flavor and aroma of the tobacco composition.

The present invention relates to novel tobacco compositions. More particularly it relates to aromatized tobacco compositions in which the natural tobacco aroma and flavor are augmented.

Raw or unaged tobacco possesses either a flat straw-like aroma or a sharp odor reminiscent of freshly dried plant material. n burning, it produces a plungent irritating smoke with a harsh bitter flavor. To overcome these defects, most tobaccos are subjected to an aging process during which changes due tochemical reactions, microorganisms or enzymes may occur. As a step in the aging process or subsequent thereto the tobacco may be subjected to a casing operation by which is meant an immersion or a dousing of the tobacco in an aqueous suspension of various additives such as invert sugar, humectants, flavoring constituents such as licorice, chocolate and the like. Such additives are incorporated to improve the flavor, aroma, and storage characteristics of the resultant tobacco compositions. In many instances, the additive impart a flavor or aroma to the tobacco composition which is distinctive. Such distinctive characteristics are often quite different from the natural tobacco flavor and aroma, and hence to some individuals, objectionable.

An object of the present invention is to devise novel tobacco compositions. A further object is to devise novel tobacco compositions in which the natural tobacco flavor and aroma are augmented. A still further object is to devise cased tobacco mixtures in which the natural to bacco and subsidiary flavors are rounded out and which possess no adverse flavor eflects on combustion.

These and other objects of my invention are attained by the incorporation of cyclohexylcyclohexanone in an aged tobacco composition preferably after the casing stage. I have found the 2-cyclohexylcyclohexanone when incorporated in a tobacco composition, either alone or in conjunction with other flavoring and aromatizing additives augments the natural tobacco flavor without imparting a specific note of its own. This is surprising since 2-cyclohcxyclcyclohexanone has a broad basic odor of its own but is Without a well defined character when admixed with tobacco. Moreover, I have found that when used in tobacco compositions containing additives to impart characteristic flavors and aromas, 2-cyclohexylcyclohexanone has the valuable property of enhancing or augmenting these flavors and aromas. This valuable and desirable property of enhancing or augmenting flavored tobacco compositions permits the utilization of less of the usually relatively expensive additives.

The amount of 2-cyclohexylcyclohexanone used is not critical and only minor amounts, amounts of the order of 0.05% by weight are suflicient to enhance the tobacco note of the composition. Usually about 0.1 to 0.2% is used since these amounts are convenient and effective. Larger amounts, of course, may be used but such larger amounts, i.e., 1% or more, are not proportionately more effective and the characteristic odor of 2-cyclohexylcyclohexanone may be noted in compositions containing such relatively large amounts. This odor or aroma may, according to personal preference, be desirable or not.

The addition of 2-cyclohexylcyclohexanone is preferably made to cased tobacco, that is the tobacco after application of the casing sauce which contains various additives such as humectants, sugars, etc. After this casing step, the tobacco either prior to or after cutting or shredding may be treated with a dressing which is generally an alcoholic solution of the various flavoring substances which impart to the tobacco composition note or character distinguishing the particular brand. This dressing may contain essential oils such as anise oil, botanical extracts such as tonka bean extract, animal substances, such as musk, and aromatics, such as anethole, vanillin, menthol and the like. These substances may be readily incorporated with the cased tobacco by spraying an alcoholic solution onto the tobacco. It is convenient and hence preferable to add the desired amount of 2-cyclohexylcyclohexanone to the dressingfsauce and to thereby incorporate the aromatizing additives at this time. Alternative, the 2-cyclohexylcyclohexanone may be added as a solution in an organic solvent or as a suspension in water or aqueous alcohol, to the cased tobacco either before or after the addition of the dressing sauce. Other suitable methods of incorporating 2-cyclohexylcyclohexanone in the tobacco composition will be apparent to those skilled in this art.

The preparation of the novel aromatized tobacco compositions of the present invention will be illustrated by the following examples. It is to be understood however, that these examples are merely illustrative and variations of the details set out therein will be obvious to those skilled in this art. Such variations are considered to be within the scope and spirit of my invention which is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto. The parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise noted.

Example 1 A 10 part portion of cased (but otherwise unflavored) pipe tobacco was impregnated, by spraying, with 0.4 part of a 10% ethanol solution of 2-cyclohexylcyclohexanone. The tobacco mixture was mixed well and then 20 parts of the cased tobacco was blended with the mixture. The resultant mixture, containing 0.13% of cyclohexylcyclohexanone, was stored at ambient temperature for twentyfour hours. The tobacco composition had a high natural tobacco fragrance which was almost wine-like. On being smoked in a clean pipe, it possessed a vague mint-like and pleasant flavor and had a clean and fresh aroma.

Example 2 In a similar manner to that described in Example 1 above, a 10 part portion of cased pipe tobacco (from the same lot) was dressed with 0.4 part of a 10% aqueous black walnut tobacco flavor. The dressed tobacco was blended with 20 parts of cased tobacco and after twentyfour hours the mixture was evaluated. This product had a bland aroma with a vague nut-like character. On being smoked, it possessed a bland flavor and aroma.

Example 3 well rounded flavor and a rich aroma, free from perfume character.

Example 4 To serve as a control, a 30 part portion of the same cased tobacco used in the above examples was stored under identical conditions for 24 hours. This control had a bland, pleasant tobacco aroma and on smoking gave a somewhat fiat flavor and aroma.

It can thus be seen that 2-cyclohexylcyclohexanone can be used conveniently and effectively to augment the natural tobacco flavor and aroma in aromatized and cased tobaccos. Its effectiveness in this application is the more impressive since on combustion of the treated tobacco composition no adverse flavor effects can be detected.

2-cyclohexylcyclohexanone is a colorless to pale yellow liquid having a pleasing odor similar in character to pure racemic menthone with a suggestion of menthol or peppermint. 2-cyclohexylcyclohexanone provides a more permanent fragrance when tested on a smelling blotter used in the perfumery art. When applied to cellulosic materials, of the type used in cigarette filters, Z-cyclohexylcyclohexanone admixed with essential oils and aromatic chemicals such as menthol and oil of peppermint, has been found not only to augment the fragrance of these substances but also to increase the permanence of these substances.

As obtained commercially, 2-cyclohexylcyclohexanone may contain the isomeric 4-cyclohexylcyclohexanone in various amounts. The commercially available product may also contain relatively small amounts (i.e. less than 5% by weight) of cyclohexanone, cyclohexanol, and/or cyclohexylcyclohexanol. Such small amounts do not affect the ability of 2-cyclohexylcyclohexanone to augment the flavor and aroma of tobacco compositions and said substances act as non-reactive diluents at worst. For the purposes of this invention, 4-cyclohexylcyclohexanone can be used in place of, or in admixture with, the more common 2-cyclohexylcyclohexanone with similar results.

I claim:

1. An aromatized tobacco composition comprising cased tobacco containing an added flavorant and a minor amount of cyclohexylcyclohexanone.

2. An aromatized tobacco composition comprising cased tobacco containing an added flavorant and from 0.05% to 1% by weight of 2-cyc1ohexylcyclohexanone.

3. The process of preparing aromatized tobacco compositions which comprises dressing a cased tobacco composition containing an added flavorant with 2-cyclohexylcyclohexanone, and blending the said mixture.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,111,127 11/1963 Jarboe 131-17 3,144,024 8/1964 Eichwald et al. 131-208 The Flavoring of Tobacco Products from Tobacco (publication), May 8, 1964, pp. 1215 inclusive.

SAMUEL KOREN, Primary Examiner.

MELVIN D. REIN, Examiner. 

1. AN AROMATIZED TOBACCO COMPOSITION COMPRISING CASED TOBACCO CONTAINING AN ADDED FLAVORANT AND A MINOR AMOUNT OF CYCLOHEXYLCYCLOHEXANONE. 